Making Persistent Plastics Degradable

Abstract

The vastness of the scale of the plastic waste problem will require a variety of strategies and technologies to move toward sustainable and circular materials. One of these strategies to address the challenge of persistent fossil‐based plastics is new catalytic processes that are being developed to convert recalcitrant waste such as polyethylene to produce propylene, which can be an important precursor of high‐performance polymers that can be designed to biodegrade or to degrade on demand. Remarkably, this process also enables the production of biodegradable polymers using renewable raw materials. In this Perspective, current catalyst systems and strategies that enable the catalytic degradation of polyethylene to propylene are presented. In addition, concepts for using “green” propylene as a raw material to produce compostable polymers is also discussed.

The relevance of sustainable laboratory practices

“…156,157 Here sustainable feedstocks such as biomass, plastic waste and CO 2 should be valorised. [158][159][160] The value of a procedure is enhanced the more circularity is applied. 114,144,161,162 Crucially, these aspects should also nd their way into the curriculum of Bachelors, Masters and High School programs.…”

“…156,157 Here sustainable feedstocks such as biomass, plastic waste and CO 2 should be valorised. 158–160 The value of a procedure is enhanced the more circularity is applied. 114,144,161,162…”

“Inverted” Cyclic(Alkyl)(Amino)Carbene (CAAC) Ruthenium Complex Catalyzed Isomerization Metathesis (ISOMET) of Long Chain Olefins to Propylene at Low Ethylene Pressure

“…[5,6] Recent development involves polymer synthesis from renewable resources, [7] persistent plastic waste catalytic degradation [8][9][10] as well as development of concepts for conversion of persistent plastics to chemically recyclable and environmentally friendly biodegradable plastics. [11] Regarding "green" catalyst developments, not only the application of renewable resources, but also the moderate reaction conditions as well as low catalyst loadings are important factors in "low carbon footprint" production of sustainable materials.…”

Shape Memory Temperature-Tunable Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/Polylactic Acid Foams Prepared by Supercritical CO2 Foaming

“…1 Fugitive persistent plastics pose a significant problem on land and especially in the Earth's oceans, where the mass of plastics is projected to surpass the total mass of fish by 2050. 2 The major commercial plastics are difficult to degrade naturally, causing serious environmental pollution issues. 3 From a medium-term perspective, strategies for recycling existing plastic materials are crucial, such as using methods like metal-catalyzed depolymerization and photoelectrolysis.…”

“…4,5 However, a sustainable long-term solution requires the development of novel, biodegradable, durable, and renewable polymers. 2 Sustainable shape memory polymers (SMPs) are attracting attention due to their novelty, specificity, and intelligence. They are endowed with the capability to maintain a desired shape and to revert to their initial shape when triggered by stimuli.…”